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Pregnant Pygmy

4K views 76 replies 13 participants last post by  toth boer goats 
#1 ·
I have a pygmy doe due to kid February 5. This is my first time kidding. I'm kinda freaking out and was hoping I could get some help? How do I know when she's starting labor? She's started producing milk already, about 2-3 weeks ago...is that normal? My other doe is due February 22, but is bigger.
Any help and/or advice from people experienced would be greatly appreciated!!
 
#2 · (Edited)
By "producing milk" are you saying she is bagging up and her udder is developing? Is this the first time kidding for the doe?

Usually when it gets close to time, there will be an amber colored discharge from her lady parts, swelling also. The doe will be showing signs of bearing down and pushing with the contractions.

In advance to delivery, the doe may make a nest by arranging straw/hay and scrapping out a hollow spot with her hooves and/or nose. The doe might get sort of restless, getting up and down more frequently, looking like she is trying to pee more than usual. Some people check the ligaments several times to see if they have softened or gone completely lax and disappearing.

From reading many of the post in the "Kidding Korral" and "Waiting Room" forums, it seems each doe has her own indications for getting ready for delivery. These are very educational forums to read for learning lots of useful information about kidding, complications, delivery, birthing after care, what to do when the newborns arrive and more.

P.S. Welcome to the Goat Spot
 
#8 ·
Yes, she's bagging up. I've actually been able to get some milk out of her udder. And yes, this is her, AND my, first kidding lol. I am owned (lol) by her and her twin sister, who is also pregnant. They are almost 2 years old. They were born 3/27/2019. I've had them since they were 4 months old. Her sister is not due for 3 weeks after Buttons (who is due 2/5/2021) but she seems larger.
I can post pics of them if it will help anyone...
I will go look at those other posts. Thank you for letting me know. And thank you, too, for the friendly welcome!!
 
#3 ·
My girls sometimes get a small udder early and then usually it gets massive 1-2 days before. I can't help you on labor. I just had one of my pygmies deliver yesterday. I was out there and saw her big ole udder but she was due Feb 3rd so I figured I had a couple days. She wasn't acting different at all so I go back inside. An hour and a half later my husband came home to her delivering baby #2
 
#9 ·
Awwww!!! That's awesome. I wish Buttons would just "give me babies" so I can calm down finally! I think I'll be okay with Snowflake delivering later this month, as long as I make it through Buttons. I do hooves in the beginning of the month, and January 2 when I checked them, Buttons was in milk and I could squeeze a small amount out.
I'm going to post pics I'm getting ready to go take. Snowflake it's due 3 weeks AFTER Buttons, but looks TWICE as big!
 
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#4 ·
I am new to this forum. I joined yesterday because I’m hoping for some answers to questions pertaining a pregnant doe of mine. Not sure if due date, buck and doe are kept together. She’s lost mucous and her ligaments feel fairly mushy since yesterday. She’s lying around a lot but not contracting. She’s also licking and biting at her sides. A lot. Even pulling some hair out near her back end. Her udder isn’t full and tight yet but has grown over the last month. She’s been yawning a lot too and stretching and doesn’t want me to check her ligs. She’s usually very affectionate and loves attention. Do you think she’s close to kidding? Sorry for replying to this with my own questions, but I honestly have no clue how to start a thread of my own.
 
#6 ·
I am new to this forum. I joined yesterday because I'm hoping for some answers to questions pertaining a pregnant doe of mine. Not sure if due date, buck and doe are kept together. She's lost mucous and her ligaments feel fairly mushy since yesterday. She's lying around a lot but not contracting. She's also licking and biting at her sides. A lot. Even pulling some hair out near her back end. Her udder isn't full and tight yet but has grown over the last month. She's been yawning a lot too and stretching and doesn't want me to check her ligs. She's usually very affectionate and loves attention. Do you think she's close to kidding? Sorry for replying to this with my own questions, but I honestly have no clue how to start a thread of my own.
Welcome Lisa1983, to make your own thread, go to Forums, pick an appropriate forum, e.g. waiting room, and click the brown button on the top right "post new thread". Good luck!
 
#5 ·
I should add that since suspecting pregnancy a month ago, we’ve built her a separate pen and have been keeping her in there since we’re unsure of her due date and our buck is quite aggressive with sexual behavior so we figured it was best to pen her alone. She has a heat lamp and fresh straw and water and we’ve upped her grain intake and feed her alfalfa flakes as well. I also add molasses to her water to encourage more hydration. I haven’t dewormed her because I’m not sure when she will kid and I don’t want to harm babies.
 
#10 ·
I should add that since suspecting pregnancy a month ago, we've built her a separate pen and have been keeping her in there since we're unsure of her due date and our buck is quite aggressive with sexual behavior so we figured it was best to pen her alone. She has a heat lamp and fresh straw and water and we've upped her grain intake and feed her alfalfa flakes as well. I also add molasses to her water to encourage more hydration. I haven't dewormed her because I'm not sure when she will kid and I don't want to harm babies.
I won't even pretend to say I know very much about goat pregnancy, but I DO know not to feed alfalfa unless it's something she's already used to getting fed every day. Too much calcium and/or protein.
 
#11 ·
At this point I would get your kidding kit together if you haven't already. Please do NOT milk out mom, even to check prior to delivery. This can introduce bacteria into the orifice and cause mastitis. Some does carry wider than others, but the big doe may have a bunch in there. Good luck - we would love to see pics of the babies.
 
#12 ·
#14 ·
Ye. I have them each their own sleeping place. And the security cameras up to watch. My kidding kit (2) is ready outside each stall, and the phone number of the vet and a long-time local goat raiser, since this is my first kidding . Is there anythng else i need? I will read that now. Thanks
 
#16 ·
I think we're going to have babies tonight! Buttons (the brown one), is pawing the ground, pushing her head into the wall, she did NOT come out of the camper all day today, separating from the herd, making noises I've NEVER heard her make, and she's restless and, as I call it when talking about my horse, stall walking!
 
#22 ·
I think we're going to have babies tonight! Buttons (the brown one), is pawing the ground, pushing her head into the wall, she did NOT come out of the camper all day today, separating from the herd, making noises I've NEVER heard her make, and she's restless and, as I call it when talking about my horse, stall walking!
@Lisa Scott just checking in to ask if either doe has kidded yet and if so, how many males and females of each? Pictures would be nice, whether just of the still pregnant doe(s) or doe(s) with the new little ones. Thanks
 
#24 ·
Ugh!! No kids yet.
But now I'm scared. Snowflake, the white doe, has some bloody discharge. Saw it this evening at feeding time.
She's term, obviously, so I don't think it would be an abortion, and I'm seriously freaking out!!! I know about the mucus plug, but didn't say anything about blood.
Anyone?!?)
 
#28 ·
I
Is there a string of reddish looking goo? It's a sign that birth is near. Can you post some pictures? Just hit upload a file tab below the conversation box, it'll prompt you to pick a picture. Then hit upload and it will post.
Can go back out to the barn, see if it's still there and take a photo. Sorry. Didn't think about taking a picture
 
#34 ·
Yay pictures, awesome!
If she's term, I'd keep a close eye out. It looks like she might be getting close to me but it's a bit hard to tell because they're dark
No, I wouldn't be too worried it looks normal end of pregnancy discharge.
You might be having kids very soon. Do you have cameras in your barn?
Yeah. The lighting sucks out there at night. But it seems to be only a few drops. Yes, I have a security camera on BOTH my girls, hooked into my bedroom TV and on all night. Volume up so I can hear everything (to the annoyance of my husband, but he puts up with me anyway lol).
If it's still there during the daylight, I can try and get another pic. I'm just scared... My first kidding... And theirs too!!
And yes, they are both term, due last Friday, and the 19th
 
#35 ·
Id plan to check the camera at least a couple times tonight. Usually once you see amber it’s about go time.
Once your doe starts actively pushing you should have your first kid within 30 minutes.(give or take 10) if she hasn’t had one by then you need to go in and check that they’re positioned correctly (Close your eyes and see with your fingers) you should feel 2hoofs and a nose. 99% of the time there’s no problems so don’t panic.
There’s almost always someone awake here who can help.
You’ll be fine.
 
#36 ·
No kids yet. Snowflake slept all night, except 2am when she got up to eat. I, on the other hand, hardly slept at all. Goats and horses are creatures of habit, so I'll wait until 10am to go feed and water like always, and will update then. I'll try to get another photo, too.
 
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